Newswise—Better delivery of medications to treat opioid use disorder (OUD) is key to addressing the opioid crisis and helping the 2.6 million Americans affected by the disease. While their medications, such as buprenorphine, exist to treat the symptoms of withdrawal and stave off cravings their formulation is primarily taken sublingually, in the form of pills and films. Despite being effective and efficacious in treating OUD, the formulation has limitations, such as misuse and nonadherence, diversion, and the possibility of unintended pediatric exposures.

In an article recently published in JAMA, Dr. Michelle Lofwall, associate professor of psychiatry and Sharon Walsh, director of the UK Center on Drug and Alcohol Research, studied the efficacy and safety of buprenorphine delivered as a weekly or monthly injection, CAM2038 a fluid crystal depot buprenorphine therapy for moderate-to-severe OUD.

In the 24-week, double-blind, double-dummy, active controlled, randomized clinical trial, participants at 35 outpatient clinics were placed in two groups, one of which received buprenorphine injections and a daily sublingual placebo and a second group, which received placebo buprenorphine injections and daily sublingual buprenorphine-naloxone tablets.

The study compared the performance of weekly and monthly CAM2038, with the current standard of care, a daily sublingual dose of buprenorphine/naloxone. Results showed the drug’s noninferiority on the primary responder rate outcome, which was based upon highly sensitive urine testing detecting illicit opioids. The data suggest that injectable buprenorphine is efficacious and may have advantages.

The results of this study will aid in improving access to treatment for many and reduce adverse risks of traditional buprenorphine. Lofwall said, “Together with the 6-month buprenorphine implant, these new long-acting medication delivery systems would allow us to administer a proven medication to the patients directly, ensuring adherence, leading to improved medication efficacy, as well as avoiding the potential for missed or stolen doses, diversion, or accidental pediatric exposure, which are significant public health concerns.”